Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B-pesticides Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes最新文献

Penconazole is one of the most widely used triazole fungicides worldwide, and its widespread distribution raises serious concerns about its toxic effects on non-target organisms. The potential toxic effects of penconazole on Artemia salina (brine shrimp) and Allium cepa (onion), which are commonly used as bioindicators, have not yet been determined. In our study, we determined that the LC₅₀ values of penconazole for Artemia salina were 1.363, 0.637, and 0.424 µg/mL after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively, while the EC₅₀ value for Allium cepa root growth after 72 h was 2.96 µg/mL. Anti-mitotic results revealed that penconazole exhibited a mitotic index (MI) ranging from 11.46% to 22.32% at concentrations of EC₅₀x2, EC₅₀, and EC₅₀/2 (µg/mL) compared to the negative control (44.29%). Exposure to penconazole caused dose-dependent morphological changes in Artemia nauplii and disrupted the cell cycle in Allium cepa root meristem cells. These findings indicate that exposure to penconazole poses potential risks not only to target organisms but also to other species in ecosystems. Our findings highlight the ecological risks of penconazole exposure and emphasize the need for caution in its use. Furthermore, more comprehensive studies are needed to elucidate its toxic mechanisms using various toxicity tests.

Nanotechnology is increasingly recognized in research, industrial, and agricultural sectors for its ability to generate bio-based nanomaterials that support sustainable production systems. In parallel, the mismanagement of olive mill wastes (OMWs) poses a persistent environmental challenge, despite their richness in bioactive compounds of agronomic interest. Recent studies have underscored the potential of OMW valorization as a source of eco-friendly bioactive agents. In this context, this study developed a hybrid nanobiostimulant (B) consisting of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with phenolic extract (LNPs + PE) derived from olive mill solid wastes (OMSWs) and evaluated its effectiveness in alleviating drought stress in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). The formulation (250 ppm) was tested under three irrigation regimes: control (C, 100% field capacity), drought-stressed (S, 50% field capacity), and drought-stressed plants treated with the nanobiostimulant (S + B). Application of LNPs + PE under water deficit significantly improved shoot elongation, leaf area (LA), and relative water content (RWC). Physiological and biochemical responses showed enhanced chlorophyll fluorescence, increased pigment and flavonoid accumulation, and notable reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble sugars, indicating improved drought tolerance. Overall, this work demonstrates that OMSW can be transformed into value-added nanobiostimulants capable of strengthening plant performance under limited water availability, offering a practical approach to waste valorization and sustainable agriculture.

Effective and sustainable management of low-fertility reclaimed soils via reed-based carbon amendments is crucial for environmental nutrient cycling, yet their effects on soil microenvironments and microbial function warrant further exploration. A 60-day incubation experiment evaluated four amendments (reed straw-RS; biochar-RB; biochar-conditioned compost RC1; sediment-biochar co-conditioned compost RC2) at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% rates on soil properties, organic carbon (C) mineralization, and microbial structure. Results showed that the exogenous carbon addition significantly altered soil physicochemical properties, initially elevating TOC and TN stocks. Following a 60-day incubation, the RC2 treatment exhibited the most pronounced TOC depletion (23.8%, p < 0.05), significantly surpassing losses observed in the RB and RS treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities were strongly associated with soil bulk density, TOC, and TN levels. Soil potentially mineralizable C (C₀) differed significantly (p < 0.05), with RC2 exerting the strongest influence on both carbon mineralization kinetics and enzymatic activity. The exogenous carbon inputs generally constrained bacterial diversity, they catalyzed the selective enrichment of specific functional taxa; notably, the RS treatment boosted the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria by 26.1% and 4.98%, respectively. Redundancy analysis linked microbial variations to compost treatments, and Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) analysis revealed high sensitivity of amino acid transport and metabolism to exogenous C. In conclusion, reed-based amendments improved soil properties and enzyme activities; RS showed a stronger priming effect on C mineralization than RB and composts, with 10% RC2 emerging as a promising amendment.

The massive global production of durian (Durio zibethinus) generates millions of tonnes of durian shell waste, posing a severe disposal challenge while representing a vastly underutilized lignocellulosic resource. Although research into its valorization is expanding, a systematic, quantitative mapping of the intellectual landscape combined with a critical assessment of technological pathways is currently lacking. To address this gap, this review integrates a comprehensive bibliometric analysis with an in-depth critical evaluation of emerging functional applications. The data-driven bibliometric study maps the spatiotemporal distribution and thematic evolution of the field, revealing a definitive paradigm shift from low-value waste disposal toward the advanced design of functional materials. Subsequently, this paper consolidates the state-of-the-art across three primary valorization pathways: (1) thermochemical carbonization to engineer hierarchical porous architectures for environmental remediation and advanced energy storage systems; (2) biochemical and chemical extraction of nanocellulose, pectin, and bioactive fractions for sustainable biocomposites, smart packaging, and biomedical devices; and (3) microbial bioconversion routes tackling lignocellulosic recalcitrance to yield renewable biofuels and upgraded agricultural feed. Finally, persistent challenges concerning feedstock heterogeneity, conversion scalability, and economic viability are critically assessed, outlining the future research trajectory required to fully integrate durian shell waste into a cascaded, sustainable biorefinery framework.

In this study the histopathological and ultrastructural effects of atrazine, a widely used herbicide, on the muscle tissue of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were investigated. To evaluate the sublethal effects of this herbicide, O. niloticus individuals were exposed to 0.9 mg/L atrazine (LC50/10) for 21 days, based on the previously reported LC50 value for O. niloticus. Muscle tissue samples were collected on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of exposure and analyzed using both light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Semiquantitative scoring of histopathological lesions revealed a range of atrazine-induced changes in muscle tissue, with increasing severity over time. The most prominent changes included pyknotic nuclei, muscle fiber deformation, and necrosis, indicating cellular membrane disruption and impaired energy metabolism. Ultrastructural analysis by TEM also showed mitochondrial cristolysis, dilation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and vacuolar deformation of the sarcoplasm. The results demonstrate that atrazine exposure, even at sublethal concentrations, can cause significant cellular and subcellular damage in the muscle tissue of O. niloticus. This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge on the adverse effects of atrazine on aquatic organisms and emphasizes the importance of monitoring and mitigating atrazine exposure in aquatic environments.

Disposable paper cups are widely used for consuming beverages, particularly hot drinks, in daily life. However, concerns regarding the migration of hazardous chemicals from these cups into beverages have been largely overlooked. This study investigates the presence of phthalates, bisphenols, photoinitiators (PIs), and two perfluorinated compounds (PFC) in polyethylene and polystyrene based beverage cups from Turkey. Potential migrants were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in a total of 40 cup samples. Among the phthalates analyzed, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most prevalent, with concentrations reaching up to 0.95 mg/kg. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the dominant bisphenol, detected at levels between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg. Five photoinitiators-benzophenone, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 4-methylbenzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, and ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate-were frequently identified, indicating the contribution of printing inks and surface coatings as contamination sources. In addition, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was detected in two samples, highlighting the potential presence of PFOA in disposable food-contact materials. The results underscore the need for continued surveillance of food-contact materials and the implementation of stricter regulatory controls to reduce long-term consumer health risks.

This study investigated the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastics (mPE) and arsenic (As) on maize (Zea mays L.) seed germination. Maize seeds were exposed to mPE (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) and As (1, 2, 5, and 10 mg/L) to assess changes in germination indices (germination rate, vigor index, germination index, germination energy, root/shoot length, and fresh/dry weight) and antioxidant enzyme activities [peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)]. Low concentrations of mPE (0.1%) or As (1 mg/L) were found to slightly promote germination rate, vigor index, and root/shoot length. In contrast, high concentrations (1-2% mPE; 10 mg/L As) significantly inhibited germination indices. Under combined exposure, 0.1% mPE with all concentrations of As synergistically enhanced the vigor index and shoot length, whereas 2% mPE with all concentrations of As exhibited antagonistic effects. Low concentrations of mPE (0.1-0.5%) or As (1 mg/L) individually enhanced POD, SOD, and CAT activities. In contrast, high concentrations of As reduced POD and SOD activities, suggesting potential impairment of the antioxidant system. The interactions between mPE and As exert concentration-dependent effects on maize germination and antioxidant defense. These results provide a basis for the risk assessment of combined mPE and As contamination in agricultural ecosystems.

This study evaluated the efficiency of herbicides used in pre and post-emergence to control Tithonia diversifolia. The first study tested atrazine, oxyfluorfen, fomesafen, and nicosulfuron in pre and initial post-emergence applications. Post-emergence applications of glyphosate, glufosinate ammonium, 2,4-D, and picloram targeted young plants of seminiferous and vegetative origin. In the field, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and picloram were tested for adult plants. A control treatment without herbicide application was included for comparison. Atrazine, oxyfluorfen, and fomesafen achieved 100% control in pre and initial post-emergence, whereas nicosulfuron was ineffective against the species. Picloram provided excellent post-emergence control (>99%) of adult plants in the field and young plants from seeds and cuttings, even at doses lower than those recommended for other species. Glyphosate effectively controlled young plants, but doses above 2400 g a.e. ha^-1 were necessary for adult plants. Ammonium glufosinate at a dose of 800 g a.e. ha^-1 promoted control of over 80% in seedlings from seeds and cuttings. Higher doses of 2,4-D effectively controlled both adult and young plants. Glyphosate, 2,4-D, and picloram effectively controlled both young and adult plants. The study provides an alternative to control T. diversifolia, this important invader of natural and agricultural systems in tropical and subtropical regions.

Animal-derived foods intended for human consumption are susceptible to the accumulation of toxic substances, including pesticides. In Mexico and other countries, pork is one of the most consumed meats, with a high demand. Therefore, the entire production and marketing chain must adhere to the quality standards established by each country and international quality guidelines. This study aimed to identify five pesticide residues of the family organophosphates (glyphosate, malathion, diazinon, parathion, and methamidophos) and one neonicotinoid (imidacloprid), in pork meat samples obtained from supermarkets and butcher shops in the northeast (Monterrey, State of Nuevo León, and Victoria, State of Tamaulipas) from Mexico utilizing Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Glyphosate, malathion, parathion, methamidophos, and imidacloprid were not detected in the pork samples. However, diazinon was detected with a positive rate of 30.30 % in pork samples from local supermarkets and butcher shops in Monterrey and Victoria. The detection of diazinon residues in pork samples from northeastern Mexico underscores a potential risk to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to implement monitoring and control strategies for this or other pesticide residues.

This study presents a label-free optical biosensor based on fully spherical liquid crystal (LC) microdroplets for the simple and sensitive pesticide detection. The LC-water interface was modified with myristoylcholine chloride (Myr), a cationic surfactant, resulting in a radial molecular configuration of the LC microdroplets, in which LC molecules orient perpendicularly to the droplet surface. Upon the introduction of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), enzymatic hydrolysis of Myr is triggered, inducing a transition to a bipolar configuration, where LC molecules align parallel to the droplet interface. Conversely, the presence of AChE inhibitors, such as dimethoate and fenobucarb, suppresses this hydrolysis, thereby preserving or restoring the droplets to a radial configuration. Experimental results reveal that the detection limits for fenobucarb and dimethoate reach 1 × 10^-8mg/mL and 1 × 10^-9mg/mL, respectively, both well below the maximum permissible levels specified by water quality regulations. This platform exhibits a sensitivity improvement of approximately two orders of magnitude compared to systems utilizing hemispherical LC microdroplets. Additionally, successful application to real water samples from Heilongjiang River validates its practical utility. Overall, this label-free, simple, and highly sensitive LC microdroplet-based biosensor represents a promising approach for environmental pesticide monitoring.